Jaki Lambert, the RCM’s Director for Scotland, said:
“When Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) announced its new inspection regime last year, the RCM welcomed it as an opportunity for change for maternity services in Scotland. We knew that these inspections would throw a spotlight on the systemic issues in maternity services, as well as highlighting the incredible care that our members provide often in spite of the challenges they face.
“The RCM has been raising the exact same concerns that the inspections have found with the Scottish Government, and with individual Health Boards, for years. We have urged this Cabinet Secretary and his predecessors to get ahead of the curve and implement the changes we know – that midwives and maternity care assistants and maternity support workers all know – need to happen. We note Mr Gray’s commitment today, and we will hold him to it. Because the women and families of Scotland – and the midwifery community that supports them – deserve better.”
The RCM has said that it is ready to work with the Taskforce in any capacity, in order to deliver the change that Scotland needs.
